Citywide clean-up cut to once annually

Attention, Phelps County pickers: There will be no citywide bulk trash collection in October, so get what you can during the free pick-up this spring.

R.D. Hohenfeldt

Attention, Phelps County pickers: There will be no citywide bulk trash collection in October, so get what you can during the free pick-up this spring.

Monday night at the recommendation of Sanitation Director Brady Wilson, the Rolla City Council adopted an ordinance that calls for an annual free pick-up of bulk cast-off items.

That will save the city about $6,000-$7,000 annually, Wilson said.

For many years the city has conducted a citywide bulk waste collection event twice a year for residents. This service has been provided to residents at no additional cost beyond their normal monthly trash service fee," Wilson wrote in his agenda commentary.

Speaking to the council, he noted that these collections have occurred on the first Saturday in April and the first Saturday in October. This has been going on for years, and the sanitation staff always wondered if there would ever be a decrease in the tonnage of materials picked up on those dates.

For many years, the tonnage was always about 100-110 tons each collection.

"Over the past several years, the tonnage being collected has been steadily decreasing," Wilson wrote.

"Additionally, the decrease in amounts collected is noted more so during the October collections."

Wilson showed a graph depicting the amount of decrease. He attributed the change to the economy. Many people are holding on and using certain bulk items longer than they had in the past. Or they are selling the items. In many cases, the items put out on the curb each spring and fall are picked up by people who cruise the neighborhoods looking to pick up furniture or other large items that they might refurbish and use or sell.

"Due to the decline in tonnage collected and an increase in collection costs, staff feels that the collection could be provided once a year while still providing the service residents look forward to," Wilson informed the council.

Disposal of the large items will continue to be available year-round for a small fee.